search the africa institute site

Beyond the Door of No Return confronts hidden colonial histories through the lens of contemporary art. Drawing on extensive research and her longtime experience as a scholar and curator, Selene Wendt presents and critically investigates artworks by artists such as John Akomfrah, La Vaughn Belle, Manthia Diawara, Jeannette Ehlers, Michelle Eistrup, Sasha Huber, Oceana James, Patricia Kaersenhout, Grada Kilomba, Suchitra Mattai, and Alberta Whittle, providing insight into aspects of colonial history that have been overlooked. As a result, Wendt exposes the long-term effects of colonialism on modern-day societies. As the first in the series of co-publications by the Institute and Skira, Beyond the Door of No Return was published in October 2021.

For additional information about Beyond the Door of No Return and to purchase the book, visit here.

About the Author

Selene Wendt is an art historian, independent curator, and writer based in Oslo. Her ongoing curatorial focus is on decoloniality and socially engaged art practices, with emphasis on interdisciplinary projects situated at the intersection between contemporary art, music, and literature.

Commendations

‘Drawing from the decolonial insights of Stuart Hall and Édouard Glissant, Selene Wendt lucidly illuminates the work of a diverse group of contemporary artists who engage with the legacy of transatlantic slavery and colonialism. Of special importance is Wendt’s emphasis on artistic practice that critically unveils the underexamined historical role of the Nordic regions in these processes, and its effects on the present. Wendt’s compelling analysis is accompanied with beautiful color images, making this book indispensable to scholars, museum professionals and the wider public.’

Iftikhar Dadi, Associate Professor, Department of History of Art and Visual Studies, Cornell, Ithaca, New York, USA

“Over the last decades, Selene Wendt has worked very closely with numerous African and African diaspora artists, whose oeuvre has exposed the complexities and subtleties of the colonial and postcolonial entanglement of the West and the Global South. Beyond the Door of No Return, represents Wendt’s finest writing about a select number of the most creative artists of our time, whose work she has researched and presented through her curatorial practice. It is a magnificent document and testimony of Wendt’s dedication and astute scholarship.”

Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Artist and The Cornelius Vanderbilt Endowed Chair of Fine Arts, Vanderbilt University, USA

Featured

Listen to a featured podcast interview with the author, Selene Wendt on New Books Network.

Beyond the Door of No Return confronts hidden colonial histories through the lens of contemporary art. Drawing on extensive research and her longtime experience as a scholar and curator, Selene Wendt presents and critically investigates artworks by artists such as John Akomfrah, La Vaughn Belle, Manthia Diawara, Jeannette Ehlers, Michelle Eistrup, Sasha Huber, Oceana James, Patricia Kaersenhout, Grada Kilomba, Suchitra Mattai, and Alberta Whittle, providing insight into aspects of colonial history that have been overlooked. As a result, Wendt exposes the long-term effects of colonialism on modern-day societies. As the first in the series of co-publications by the Institute and Skira, Beyond the Door of No Return was published in October 2021.

Beyond the Door of No Return confronts hidden colonial histories through the lens of contemporary art. Drawing on extensive research and her longtime experience as a scholar and curator, Selene Wendt presents and critically investigates artworks by artists such as John Akomfrah, La Vaughn Belle, Manthia Diawara, Jeannette Ehlers, Michelle Eistrup, Sasha Huber, Oceana James, Patricia Kaersenhout, Grada Kilomba, Suchitra Mattai, and Alberta Whittle, providing insight into aspects of colonial history that have been overlooked. As a result, Wendt exposes the long-term effects of colonialism on modern-day societies. As the first in the series of co-publications by the Institute and Skira, Beyond the Door of No Return was published in October 2021.

For additional information about Beyond the Door of No Return and to purchase the book, visit here.

About the Author

Selene Wendt is an art historian, independent curator, and writer based in Oslo. Her ongoing curatorial focus is on decoloniality and socially engaged art practices, with emphasis on interdisciplinary projects situated at the intersection between contemporary art, music, and literature.

Commendations

‘Drawing from the decolonial insights of Stuart Hall and Édouard Glissant, Selene Wendt lucidly illuminates the work of a diverse group of contemporary artists who engage with the legacy of transatlantic slavery and colonialism. Of special importance is Wendt’s emphasis on artistic practice that critically unveils the underexamined historical role of the Nordic regions in these processes, and its effects on the present. Wendt’s compelling analysis is accompanied with beautiful color images, making this book indispensable to scholars, museum professionals and the wider public.’

Iftikhar Dadi, Associate Professor, Department of History of Art and Visual Studies, Cornell, Ithaca, New York, USA

“Over the last decades, Selene Wendt has worked very closely with numerous African and African diaspora artists, whose oeuvre has exposed the complexities and subtleties of the colonial and postcolonial entanglement of the West and the Global South. Beyond the Door of No Return, represents Wendt’s finest writing about a select number of the most creative artists of our time, whose work she has researched and presented through her curatorial practice. It is a magnificent document and testimony of Wendt’s dedication and astute scholarship.”

Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Artist and The Cornelius Vanderbilt Endowed Chair of Fine Arts, Vanderbilt University, USA

Featured

Listen to a featured podcast interview with the author, Selene Wendt on New Books Network.

Author

Selene Wendt

Publisher

The Africa Institute (Sharjah, UAE) and Skira Editore (Milan, Italy)

Language

English

ISBN

978-88-572-4560-7

Dimensions

24 x 17 cm, hardcover

Year of Publication

2021

Buy

STAY IN TOUCH

Subscribe to our mailing list and get the latest news from The Africa Institute

FOLLOW US